N-methyl-D-aspartate glutamate receptor blockade inhibits the sensitization of sodium appetite independent of alterations in salt palatability.

The intraperitoneal injection (ip) of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist dizocilpine, MK-801, blocks sodium appetite sensitization in rats. Therefore, NMDA receptors seem important for ingestive behavioral adaptations to episodic or chronic periods of dehydration and salt depletion. Orofacial somatic motor responses to intraoral infusion of salt, in a salt taste reactivity test, can be an index of salt palatability.

Inhibition of salty taste and sodium appetite by estrogens in spontaneously hypertensive rats.

Estrogen has a well-known effect of reducing salt intake in rats. This mini review focuses on recent findings regarding the interaction of estradiol with brain angiotensin II to control increased sodium palatability that occurs as a result of sodium appetite in spontaneously hypertensive rats.